Arsenal - Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard
Image credit: Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has offered fitness updates on Riccardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard, and Kai Havertz following Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Villarreal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners’ preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign suffered another setback after a second consecutive loss in pre-season, compounded by a penalty shootout defeat.
Goals from Christian Norgaard and Martin Odegaard provided some positives, but defensive lapses and missed chances highlighted familiar issues just 11 days before their league opener against Manchester United.
READ MORE: Arsenal fall to Villarreal in pre-season test as defensive concerns persist ahead of Premier League opener
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring in the 16th minute, capitalising on a defensive mix-up and an unfortunate rebound off goalkeeper David Raya. Villarreal doubled their lead through 19-year-old Etta Eyong on 35 minutes before Norgaard headed home a corner to make it 2-1 at half-time.
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori (Image credit: Getty Images)
The Spanish side struck again after the break through ex-Tottenham loanee Arnaut Danjuma, while Odegaard converted a penalty to reduce the deficit. However, despite late pressure and a missed chance from Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal could not complete the comeback.
A pre-arranged penalty shootout ended 4-3 in Villarreal’s favour, with Noni Madueke seeing his spot-kick saved, Gabriel hitting the bar, and Mikel Merino missing the target.
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Speaking after the match, Arteta confirmed that Calafiori and Trossard both sidelined since the club’s Asia tour could return for Saturday’s Emirates Cup clash with Athletic Club.
The trio were absent from the Villarreal clash, but Arteta provided encouraging news after the game.
Arsenal - Leandro Trossard
Leandro Trossard (Image credit: Getty Images)
On Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard, the manager said: “The three that we lost during the tour were Big Gabi, Leo, and Richy, and for Saturday I think both of them have a chance, if everything in the next few days evolves in the way that it’s been evolving.”
On Kai Havertz’s absence, Arteta explained: “Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn’t quite right, so we decided to rest him. I think it’s going to be a matter of a couple of days. Hopefully, the weekend if everything goes to plan, he will be fit.”
Arsenal will round off their pre-season schedule with a home fixture against Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup on Saturday before travelling to Old Trafford for their Premier League opener against Manchester United on August 17.
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